Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An optical fibre connector in which an interstitial space for receiving an optical fibre is defined between a plurality of alignment surfaces characterised in that the interstitial space is defined by first and second convergent alignment surfaces (46, 24) of a one-piece body member (16), the first alignment surface (46) having an integral surface portion (42) extending in rectilinear fashion in the longitudinal direction beyond the second alignment surface (24), the connector (12) being matable with a further, similar, connector (14) so that the extended surface portion (42) of each body member (16) engages an optical fibre (116) received in the interstitial space of the. other body member (16) retaining the optical fibre (116) against the first and second alignment surfaces (46, 24) of the other body member (16) thereby precisely aligning the axes of the optical fibres (116).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optical fibre connector in which an interstitial space for receiving an optical fibre is defined between a plurality of alignment surfaces characterised in that the interstitial space is defined by first and second convergent alignment surfaces (46, 24) of a one-piece body member (16), the first alignment surface (46) having an integral surface portion (42) extending in rectilinear fashion in the longitudinal direction beyond the second alignment surface (24), the connector (12) being matable with a further, similar, connector (14) so that the extended surface portion (42) of each body member (16) engages an optical fibre (116) received in the interstitial space of the. other body member (16) retaining the optical fibre (116) against the first and second alignment surfaces (46, 24) of the other body member (16) thereby precisely aligning the axes of the optical fibres (116).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
An optical fibre connector according to Claim 1, characterised in that the connector (12) or (14) additionally comprises three converging surfaces (42, 24, 78) defining between them an optical fibre receiving passageway, the alignment surfaces (46, 24) being integral rectilinear extensions of two of the surfaces (42, 24) defining the passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
An optical fibre connector according to Claim 2, characterised in that one (78) of the three converging surfaces (42, 24, 78) defining the optical fibre receiving passageway is provided on a clamping member (18) mounted on the body member (16) for limited movement of the one converging surface (78) relative to the other two converging surfaces (42, 24) to alter the cross-sectional size of the passageway.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical fibre connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a resilient arm (70) extends from the body portion (16) in the longitudinal direction spaced apart from the alignment surfaces (46, 24), the arm (70) having camming means (74) engageable with a complementary surface (52) on a similar connector (14) during mating to urge the similar connector (14) laterally to bring the extended surface portion (42) of the body members (16) into engagement with the optical fibres (116), precisely to align the axes of the optical fibres (116).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
. An optical fibre connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first alignment surface (46) is of less width than the width of the extended surface portion (42) the arrangement.being such that, during mating with a similar connector (14), the extended surface portion (42) of each connector body member (16) will be in sliding engagement with the extended surface portion of the other connector body member (16) maintaining each of the extended surface (42) portions spaced apart from an optical fibre (116) mounted in the other connector (14 or-12) for substantially the entire longitudinal mating movement.